AP Environmental Science — Unit 1: The Living World: Ecosystems

Q1. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q1)
Which of the following is the most direct way that increased competition for a limited resource affects a population?
Q2. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q2)
Which two biomes are primarily characterized by low annual precipitation and can be found at various latitudes?
Q3. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q3)
Which of the following describes the abyssal zone of an aquatic biome?
Q4. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q4)
Create a clear and simplified diagram of the global carbon cycle. Label the following reservoirs:
Refer to the diagram of the carbon cycle. Which process represents the movement of carbon from the atmosphere into terrestrial biomass?
Q5. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q5)
Create a clear and simplified diagram of the global nitrogen cycle. Label the following reservoirs:
Refer to the diagram of the nitrogen cycle. What is the primary role of denitrifying bacteria in this cycle?
Q6. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q6)
Create a clear and simplified diagram of the global phosphorus cycle. Label the following reservoirs:
Refer to the diagram of the phosphorus cycle. Unlike the carbon and nitrogen cycles, the phosphorus cycle does not include which major reservoir?
Q7. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q7)
Create a clear and simplified diagram of the global hydrologic (water) cycle. Label the following reservoirs:
Refer to the diagram of the hydrologic cycle. Which process describes the transformation of liquid water into water vapor by plants?
Q8. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q8)
The process by which producers convert light energy into chemical energy is known as
Q9. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q9)
Which of the following describes the role of a primary consumer in an ecosystem?
Q10. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q10)
Create a simple, clearly labeled ecological energy pyramid. The base of the pyramid represents
An ecosystem has 10,000 joules of energy available at the producer level. Approximately how much energy would be available to a tertiary consumer in this ecosystem, assuming a 10% energy transfer efficiency at each trophic level?
Q11. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q11)
Create a simple food web diagram showing connections between organisms. Organisms: Grass, Berries, Deer, Rabbit, Mouse, Bear, Hawk, Snake. Arrows indicate the flow of energy. Grass -> Deer, Rabbit, Mouse. Berries -> Rabbit, Mouse, Bear. Rabbit -> Bear, Hawk. Mouse -> Snake, Hawk. Deer -> Bear. Snake -> Hawk. Ensure arrows originate from the organism being eaten and point to the organism that eats it.
Refer to the food web. Which organism functions as both a primary and a secondary consumer?
Q12. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q12)
Create a climatograph showing average monthly temperature and precipitation for a location. The x-axis should represent the months (Jan-Dec). The left y-axis for temperature should range from -10°C to 30°C, and the right y-axis for precipitation should range from 0 mm to 300 mm. Plot average monthly temperatures as a line graph: Jan(25), Feb(26), Mar(27), Apr(26), May(25), Jun(24), Jul(23), Aug(23), Sep(24), Oct(25), Nov(25), Dec(25). Plot average monthly precipitation as a bar graph: Jan(250), Feb(230), Mar(280), Apr(190), May(150), Jun(100), Jul(90), Aug(110), Sep(180), Oct(240), Nov(260), Dec(270). The temperature line should be relatively stable and high (above 20C), and precipitation bars should be consistently high (above 100mm, often 200mm+).
Based on the provided climate graph, which terrestrial biome is most likely represented?
Q13. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q13)
A scientist observes an aquatic ecosystem characterized by cold, nutrient-rich waters, high productivity due to upwelling, and a diverse community of fish and marine mammals. This description best fits which aquatic biome?
Q14. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q14)
Which of the following processes directly removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
Q15. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q15)
What is the primary way that nitrogen enters the biosphere from the atmosphere?
Q16. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q16)
The primary reservoir for phosphorus on Earth is found in
Q17. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q17)
Which stage of the hydrologic cycle is responsible for returning water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface as rain, snow, or hail?
Q18. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q18)
Besides photosynthesis, what is another process that producers use to generate energy from inorganic compounds in certain environments?
Q19. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q19)
Organisms that obtain energy by consuming dead organic matter are classified as
Q20. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q20)
If the producers in an ecosystem contain $5 \times 10^5$ kcal of energy, and assuming a 10% energy transfer rule, how much energy would be available for a population of wolves that are secondary consumers?
Q21. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q21)
Create a simple food web diagram. Organisms: Grass, Mouse, Snake, Hawk, Owl. Arrows indicate the flow of energy. Grass -> Mouse. Mouse -> Snake. Mouse -> Owl. Snake -> Hawk. Ensure arrows originate from the organism being eaten and point to the organism that eats it.
Refer to the food web. If the snake population dramatically decreased due to disease, which organism would most likely experience a population increase?
Q22. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q22)
Which type of species interaction benefits one species while the other is neither harmed nor helped?
Q23. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q23)
Create a simplified world map showing the general distribution of major terrestrial biomes. Use distinct colors for each biome: Tropical Rainforest (equatorial regions), Desert (around 30 degrees latitude north and south, and continental interiors), Tundra (polar regions), Boreal Forest/Taiga (high northern latitudes), Temperate Deciduous Forest (mid-latitudes, eastern North America, Western Europe, East Asia), Temperate Grassland (mid-latitudes, continental interiors like prairies/steppes), Chaparral (Mediterranean climates). Clearly distinguish the different biome zones.
Based on the provided biome distribution map, which biome is typically found near the equator with consistently high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year?
Q24. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q24)
Which of the following best describes the characteristics of a coral reef biome?
Q25. (ID: ap_environmental_science_MCQ_U1S2Q25)
What is the primary way human activities increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere?

Answer Key

1. A
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. B
6. A
7. D
8. A
9. B
10. C
11. D
12. A
13. B
14. C
15. A
16. B
17. A
18. B
19. C
20. A
21. A
22. C
23. A
24. A
25. B